About Ellusionist

Ellusionist was founded on January 1st, 2001 by Brad Christian.

His goal was simple — to create the best online training environment for people who want to learn high-impact, effective magic tricks. Ellusionist's growth has been unprecedented. To date, over 60,000 members worldwide participate in our discussion forums — the largest online magic forums on the net.

At Ellusionist, we have one goal: to give you the power to perform magic beyond belief. We want to make you the life of any party. We want to make you into a performer. To achieve that goal, we built this site with YOU in mind.

We Believe in the Power of the Great Team

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  Brad Christian

  Founder / CEO

  Brad Christian, CEO and founder of Ellusionist, began his magic career with a kit he got for Christmas as a boy of 6... more

  

  Brad Christian

  Founder / CEO

  Brad Christian, CEO and founder of Ellusionist, began his magic career with a kit he got for Christmas as a boy of 6. Gathering all his courage and calling on the mysterious powers he got from the kit, he put on a magic show for his first grade class which was unrivaled at the time. Christian finished the show and stood back to take his applause, and that's when things went abruptly... wrong. The entire class rushed him like Children of The Corn, examined his props and discovered the intense secrets behind his dazzling sleight of hand. He immediately quit magic forever, vowing never to get up in front of his class at show-and-tell again.

  Fast forward to age 16 when one evening friends insisted Brad watch the "Doug Henning NBC Magic Special" with them. Uninterested, Brad finally acquiesced. He went in planning to pick apart Doug's tricks and show how easy it was to figure these silly things out. This might have been left over resentment from 10 years ago. Instead, Brad was transported to an land of magic and wonderment, as Doug would say, and vowed to study magic seriously from that moment.

  Brad went down to the Arcade Magic and Novelty shop and stood around for 14 hours every Saturday, open to close, until someone finally noticed him. He was asked about his intentions, and then taught an effect or two that he could go home and practice. He practiced for hours, went back and showed them next Saturday, got the approval that was required, and was on his way. The shop was old school and Brad got his education that way. He was taught that magic needed to be simple. He was taught never to work on more than three things at a time, until he could do them in his sleep. He was taught that books were a good thing. Small tips and techniques were learned from pros who frequented the shop which made a huge difference during Brad's performance. Brad put an ad in the paper "Have rabbit, will travel" for kids parties and started to work professionally.

  Let's speed this up.

  Brad moved to New York to study acting, was on As The World Turns (small regular part as Clinton the Card Shark Gambler). Hit the comedy clubs after hours, performing. Was hired for a Billy Joel video during a street performance. Had four agents booking him in clubs and for acting auditions. People started getting pick pocketed during his street performances, and Brad was told by the police if they ever saw him on the street again he'd be locked up. Decided to move back to Toronto. Went on vacation to San Francisco for two weeks and never went back to Toronto. Sent for his stuff. Did shows and worked as a waiter for some years, knowing that he could do more if given the chance. Watched his little nephew playing with a toy car at Thanksgiving dinner one night, made the car disappear. When Brad saw his little nephew's reaction, he thought Dad's should be able to do magic for their kids! Brad thought he might be a good teacher. He got some investors, made a video, bought a computer, taught himself html and Flash, built the site, went live and that is history. Ellusionist.

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  David Mitchell

  Ellusionist Webmaster and Go-to Guy

  Working with Ellusionist for 10 years has an effect on a persons hairline. Kidding aside, the discovery of magic... more

  

  David Mitchell

  Ellusionist Webmaster and Go-to Guy

  Working with Ellusionist for 10 years has an effect on a persons hairline. Kidding aside, the discovery of magic has been one of the best things to happen to me besides getting married and getting to experience parenthood. I'm proud to say that I've been part of one of the best groups of people a person could ever hope to work for. I've only been exposed to magic for just over 20 years, and it's certainly been the best 20 years ever. I've met the people I look up to, been able to go to Magic Camp and call some of the most amazing people my friends.

  I was introduced to serious sleight of hand by Brad and I've never stopped learning. I've performed on stage and did walk-around in restaurants for almost 6 years. Some of my favorite effects include Carp Warp, Psychokinetic Silverware and The Linking Rings (the small ones, not the large ones)

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  Pete

  Production Manager

  I fly around the country filming and shooting (with a camera) amazing people like YOU. I've had the pleasure... more

  

  Pete

  Production Manager / Creative Team

  I fly around the country filming and shooting (with a camera) amazing people like YOU.
  I have had the pleasure of traversing the globe with some of the coolest people I have ever met and seeing some of the coolest things I have ever seen.

  I am a sucker for card magic. I love how many different things you can do with a deck of cards. I enjoy whipping cards at Gregory Wilson, and I enjoy using Daniel Madison's deadly "Elastic Card of Death" on unsuspecting victims. #win

  I use Apple products because Microsoft is inferior. Yeah, I just said that.

  I come from a story telling background in cinematography. Initially interning with an industry giant specializing in NFL coverage, the U.S. Military, Weddings and Small business clients, I was very much exposed to the story side of things versus the quick cut pieces you typically see. Bringing these aspects to Ellusionist, I quickly adapted them to our playing card trailers such as Red Artifice, Purple Artifice, Infinity and so on.

  I have a golden retriever named Bauer, I love 24, I lost track of how many tattoos I have, I hate orange Gatorade and I am inspired daily by my amazing wife. Awwww.

  I also started every sentence of this bio with " I " - You don't see that happening with Microsoft users.

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  Adam

  Project Manager

  Hello all, I'm Adam Wilber and I am the Manufacturing Project Manager here at Ellusionist. My role is making sure... more

  

  Adam

  Project Manager

  Hello all, I'm Adam Wilber and I am the Manufacturing Project Manager here at Ellusionist. My role is making sure things get done on time and done correctly. We strive for perfection in every deck of cards, every DVD and every project we take part in. I consider myself extremely lucky to be working with such a talented, passionate and fun group of people.
  
  My love for magic started at age 6 when my friend fooled me with a silk vanish. I learned the effect and showed my father. At age 6 I fooled my dad and saw a look of true astonishment on his face, That was it. From that second on I was thoroughly addicted to this beautiful art. I still perform close up shows regularly here in Vermont and wouldn't trade it for the world. When Not working or performing I enjoy spending time with my beautiful wife Natasha and amazing son Carter Blake.

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  Daniel Madison

  Creative Team / Product Development

  Daniel Madison learnt the principals, mechanics and dangers of his art through the cold school of experience ... more

  

  Daniel Madison

  Creative Team / Product Development

  Daniel Madison learnt the principals, mechanics and dangers of his art through the cold school of experience. In 1998, when caught using deceptive techniques at an unlicensed card game, a beating almost took his life. The experience left him obsessed with deception.

  Daniel made it his life’s vocation to become a master of sleight-of-hand and the deceptive practices. He has spent the past 15 years developing a unique and sharp arsenal of tricks and sleights alongside an instantly recognizable trademark style.

  He now utilizes his creative flair, studies, expertise and the devilry of his past to offer Creative Consultation for Ellusionist, developing and creating unique and groundbreaking magic and searching the world for the most astonishing tricks and amazing underground artists.

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  Jennifer Riordan

  Warehouse Manager / Wholesale

  Working for Ellusionist has been the highlight of my career. I love the energy of this company and the creativity I am ... more

  

  Jennifer Riordan

  Warehouse Manager / Wholesale

  Hi! I’m Jennifer Riordan. I work in customer service, inventory control, purchasing as well as managing the warehouse and wholesale division. I may not be a magician but I wear a lot of hats! I have been with Ellusionist for over 6 years with my primary back ground being in manufacturing and logistics. Working for Ellusionist has been the highlight of my career. I love the energy of this company and the creativity I am surrounded with on a daily basis.

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  Jake

  Social Marketeer

  Jake is charged with making sure you know who we are, be it through the promotion of products and events or managing ... more

  

  Jake

  Chief Marketing Guru

  'Jake' (noun) : Australian. Self-proclaimed marketing whiz kid. Addicted to Subway Footlongs.
  
  Jake is charged with making sure you know who we are, be it through the promotion of products and events or managing Ellusionist's digital presence. So if you're reading this and don't know who we are - give us a call and we'll fire him pronto.
  
  From Facebook to Pinterest, YouTube to Adwords, Jake has no idea how they work - but he's got all the 'Dummies Guide To' books on them, and he intends on reading them one day. In the mean time he just smiles and nods and pretends he knows what's happening. Jake's responsible for all the fancy words you see on the site - product descriptions, newsletters and autobiographical third-person statements.
  
  Jake also manages Ellusionist contests, promotions, sponsorships and Affiliates. Bribes for the aforementioned should be delivered in honey-baked ham form, (email Jake for address). They probably won't work - but Jake can always do with more ham.
  
  Despite being a professional magician for over four years, Jake believes he peaked at the age of eight with his first set of hippity-hop rabbits. As such, his routines haven't changed much since. Jake has a propensity to never turn down a challenge, especially if it starts with the words 'I dare you to...' Conveniently located in Brisbane, Australia, Jake is a mere 7000 miles away, ready to answer any and all questions from the team, thanks to his eidetic memory when it comes to playing cards and Ellusionist. Also, about the Subway Footlongs. Jake knows more than any man should know about Subway Footlongs.
  

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  Shane

  Marketing

  Keeper of secrets, arcane knowledge and the inner-workings of the mind ... more

  Shane

  ??

  Shane is the newest addition to the E-Team (It’s like the A-Team but with more Magic, and no van) He is our keeper of secrets, books, and marketing! Don’t be fooled by the bookworm glasses and awkward references. Shane is mildly (by mildly we mean extremely) obsessed with shuffling and dealing cards. When he isn’t typing, he’s shuffling and when he isn’t shuffling he’s typing, while reading and dealing…
  
  It’s scary.
  
  Shane is now on board working with everything from marketing to crediting. You’ve got questions, he’s probably got answers.

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  Mike

  Graphic Artist / Designer

  As Graphic Artist at Ellusionist, Mike is a deft hand with crayons and finger paint. His artwork is displayed proudly on the office fridge ... more

  

  Mike

  Graphic Artist / Designer

  As graphic artist at Ellusionist, Mike is a deft hand with crayons and finger paint. His artwork is proudly displayed on the office fridge door… or at least that's what we tell him. Being based out of Toronto he rarely gets to see the office fridge door.

  Despite being one of the newer additions to the Ellusionist Team, Mike's been an Ellusionist community member for a long time - in fact the Ellusionist Forum is where Mike met Pete 10 years ago. Since coming aboard, Mike has created the Sultan Republic and Sultan Treasury decks, produced graphics for countless products and completely revolutionised the layout of our website. We know - pretty slack, but he looks good in a v-neck, and is great at running for lunch on production shoots, so we keep him around.

  Mike enjoys cats and coffee - sometimes separately, and has the rather unique claim to fame of being both a germaphobe and kleptomaniac - taking coasters from every restaurant he's ever been to, but ensuring they get a good dosing of Purell first. Freak though he is, we're proud to say he's part of our team…. just not in public.

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  Lee

  Playing Card Designer, Graphic Assassin

  Like a hired assassin (12 yr old Lee wishes!), my role is laser focused on achieving a single objective. To take an idea and design... more

  

  Lee

  Playing Card Designer, Graphic Assassin

  Who am I and what do I bring to the Ellusionist party?
  Like a hired assassin (12 yr old Lee wishes!), my role is laser focused on achieving a single objective. To take an idea and design jaw-dropping playing cards to give the world of magicians and playing card lovers something that's cool, unique and full of epic-ness to really get pumped about! Ultimately, it's not us, but the fans, Ellusionist supporters and customers who really get to decide if that jaw-dropping level has been reached or not. I think we've done alright so far, but I would say that :)
  As an amateur magician and card addict myself, it's such a rewarding part to play. It leaves me gob-smacked every time I see an E deck I designed in someones hands or in stores around the world...what a proud feeling.
  So far I've been involved with Arcane, Infinity, Artifice, LTD, and they've all been creations of passion and vision from everyone involved, from beginning to end. I hope they do what they're meant to and make an empowering impact on anyone who lays eyes on them. My personal favorites are actually a tie between Artifice and Infinity...hmmm.
  Personally, I'm fascinated with perception and the art of making the impossible, possible. Creating powerful connections and memorable experiences in life. That's the attraction of magic for me. It's also the attraction of graphic design. It's what I hope to achieve with all my artwork. Being creative is in my blood, hard-coded into my DNA, and I hope to share as much of it as I can with the world.
  To have the opportunity to be able to combine life-long passions of magic and graphic design, represent a leading, innovative company and design playing cards that the entire world gets to see!?...
  
  …It blows my mind.
  
  I'm truly grateful to work alongside such a creative, passionate, inspiring and cutting-edge crew of awesome folks.
  
  "Destiny is not a matter of chance, but a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it's a thing to be acheived."

• 

  Olivia

  CFO Bigwig

  Olivia Aqui, CFO of Ellusionist, began her accounting career as a young adult. Her first job was an Accounts Receivable Clerk... more

  

  Olivia

  Accounting

  One of the greatest things about working for Ellusionist is the incredibly passionate and talented people! But don’t get me wrong, that is not the only thing I love. I have an uncanny fondness in taking financial data and deciphering the results of our efforts, while making adjustments to achieve better outcomes (this probably explains why I love playing Monopoly and Risk).

  Of course, I am probably viewed as one of the most serious and trite people out of the bunch, but somebody has to keep us inline, making sure that all of our creations pay-off. I am like the Navigator who keeps us on course. It is my responsibility to make sure we arrive at the destination we desire within budget, avoiding costly detours, while taking the shortest/fastest path available.

  I’m not a Magician, but I love to be entertained and I’m amazed by people who can perform tricks or who are humorous (remember I’m the serious one, so being easily amused by others helps me maintain the balance I need).

  As a kid at heart, I love playing hard and can be considered an adrenaline junky. I enjoy backpacking, snow skiing, diving, sky diving, river rafting, mountain biking, kite boarding and Djing (yes I meant that, it isn’t a typo, I am a house/electronic DJ and have been paid for spinning). I hope that changes your ideas of the stereotyped Accounting people, they may surprise you if you get to know them ;)

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  Heidi

  Accounting

  There is nothing SAME (or SANE) about Ellusionist. Although I don’t have a background in magic, I am excited to be a part ... more

  

  Heidi

  Accounting

  “And I Jack, the Pumpkin King, have grown so tired of the same old thing...” ? Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas. There is nothing SAME (or SANE) about Ellusionist. Although I don’t have a background in magic, I am excited to be a part of a team where our singular goal is a relentless pursuit to push through the traditional boundaries of our industry to bring our customers new and engaging content and products. We hope to enable our fans to continually stretch their talent and imaginations, and allow them to reach new levels of achievement and creativity through Magic and beyond...Feels good to be a part of something bigger than myself…

  10 Things About Me:

  1) I am deathly afraid of clowns...and babies that are made to look like they are talking like adults.
  2) I have been bungee jumping...and would jump at the opportunity to do it again.
  3) I have written my own screen play and directed a short film...and no you can't read or see it.
  4) I cannot sing to save my life...but love dancing!!
  5) I lived in Barcelona for three years and owned a restaurant there...it's still operating today.
  6) I can’t speak Spanish to save my life...but I don't care, I keep trying.
  7) One of my most embarrassing moments is being on the junior high basketball team and making a basket for the other team...yes, you could call that a "Blonde" moment.
  8) I am married to an Irishman and have my Irish Citizenship, which I am very proud of...my citizenship that is.
  9) I use to write for a music magazine and got to travel on the road with several bands, including Sublime and No Doubt.
  10) Sadly, the only magic trick I know is how make it look like I am pulling my thumb off…and I learned that when I was 7-years-old…